Friday, 21 August 2015

Wednesday night was to be cliff training, but we didn't want to get the kit wet ;-) so we did some radio training instead.

Each Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) is issued with a personal radio on joining the Coastguard in order to allow communications within the team, with the Coastguard NMOC, the Coastguard Helicopters, and the RNLI amongst others.

Currently we use an ICOM IC-M1EUROV VHF Marine Transceiver which is a great all round bit of kit. They’re pretty much bulletproof and will even survive being dropped in a cup of tea for 30 minutes! Not that we’d do that.

A marine VHF (Very High Frequency) Radio set is basically a combined transmitter and receiver and only operates on standard, international frequencies known as channels. Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international calling and distress channel; while the Channel 00 is the dedicated Coastguard channel.

The VHF system isn’t there for people to use as a way of chatting to their mates on the water, much like you would on a mobile phone. It is meant as a means of seeking and providing information for those on or in the water and for the rescue services to have a means of communicating and coordinating dealings with emergencies. As you might expect there is a lot to learn about procedure and the correct words to use; or ‘prowords’, such as ‘Over’, ‘Out’, ‘Roger’ etc etc. All very confusing for the newer Coastguards; still its important stuff to learn.

As for 'Over and out,' you would be shot out of the water if you used the phrase on marine radio. 'Over' means 'I have finished speaking and am awaiting a reply.' 'Out' means 'I have finished the communication.' 'Over' and 'Out' should never be used together in serious radio communication.

Friday, 14 August 2015

Our friends at the RNLI have been fundraising all week towards their new boat and boat house, and tonight there's a musical spectacular at Prince Albert Gardens with two local favourites, firstly Jim Etherington and then the Reptiles. Naturally enough there'll be a bar and BBQ too, so you have no excuse.

The fun continues on Saturday with more activity on Prince Albert Gardens, including the Build-a-Boat competition. (Rules: get a piece of plywood and some nails, make it look like a boat, try to row it, sink, get laughed at) and later on, the Annual Raft Race (Rules: get some barrels and nails, make them look like a raft, try to row it, sink, get laughed at.)

Coastguard Nick's Build-A-Boat entry from 2013 - we tried to deny he was anything to do with us.

In the evening there'll be more music at the amphitheatre and more beer and burgers to be had too.

On Sunday, there's a fun run in the morning, lifeboaty-type stuff at Prince Albert Gardens through the day and then the Lifeboat Service on the Pier at 7pm - well worth a visit if you've never been.

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Little did we know heading out last night to the Studland area that we would be out a quite a while.

Several checks of members of the public who had consumed a few drinks and decided to lay down in various locations.

A group spoken to in danger of getting cut off by the tide. Two boats full of people given words of advice regarding their behaviour on the water.

Then we decided to attempt the ferry road - it wasn't long before we go flagged down by a cyclist who had hit a parked car and had quite a head injury. The team started to treat him where he had managed to walk too with his broken bike when a coach driver advised us that another cyclist had hit the same parked car.

The team immediately split up and found quite a badly injured female in the hedgerow again with a nasty head injury.

Treatment was given until the arrival of the Police and the ambulance. Having treated the female it was back to the 1st cyclist and wait for another ambulance to arrive to treat him.

Finally at 2am the patrol carried out a final sweep of the Ferry Road before returning to station.

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Its that time again when we get to order our uniform for the coming year....Click 'Uniform' on the bloggies on the left for previous anecdotes (those little keywords that you never realised were there nor what they were for...)

Its also the time for the annual struggle to find a tape measure. Which'll probably explain why Terry's new shirt will fit more like a glove. Just order XXS Terry, and then turn it up when it arrives!

Sunday, 2 August 2015

It started with a diver being airlifted of a local dive boat in Durlston Bay, the patrol attended Peveril Point just in case the helicopter wanted to land.

Whilst on scene at Peveril Point the patrol monitored a small motor cruiser whilst it went through the tide race. The race was very rough and strong , the boat made it through however broke down just off the pier.

The patrol then proceeded down to the pier to meet the dive boat and speak to the broken down motor boat which had run out of fuel.

Having been to Studland the patrol was heading up to Durlston when they were made aware of a road accident in the Lower High Street.
Arriving on scene a car had been in collision with a motor bike which had two riders on. The Coastguard team along with an off duty fireman, A&E nurse and lifeboat man delivered 1st aid whilst waiting for two ambulances to arrive.

The Lower High Street is now reopened.

The fourth Incident today came after 9pm when the crew of the Swanage Inshore Lifeboat launched to a small sailing boat which has dragged its anchor under the Grand Hotel. The Team attended as the tow had been connected and helped recover some items for safe keeping.

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